Mana??

[Grimmjow]

Now i know that the play test is out and that they are using the spells per day approach but i was thinking that maybe using a mana source for the casters in the game would be a better idea. My theory behind this is that people coming from games like world of warcraft would understand it better than the spells per day, and feel more at home with this game. It would help to bring in people from a different gaming background.

What do you guys think?

 

[Tehnai]

Well, spell point systems have always had a strong following, I wouldn't be surprised if we either saw it appear as a variant/module, or even as a mechanic for another class (perhaps sorceror, or warlock, or what have you).

I can't help but think about how nice it would be to mirror the HD mechanic for spell points. Take some time to meditate during a short rest/drink a fancy magical broth and be allowed to spend a Magic dice to add to your spell point pool.

 

[Sir Brennen]

"Mana" isn't a common enough term, either. I assume you're talking about a spell point system. That'd be fine as an optional rules module in the future, but I really doubt the spells per day model is going to go away from the core, especially if 5e is suppose to "feel" like D&D.

Note that 3e had a point system for psionics; they retain this approach to make psi powers feel different from arcane and divine magic.

 

[Sir Brennen]

Double post

 

[Lwaxy]

Using spell points for a while now, it is, in my eyes, the much more versatile way. But some players use other means, too, which makes for a cool variety of options.

Unfortunately, Vancian magic is seen too much as a core of D&D, even among those players using other options. So we will have to deal with it.

 

[Mengu]

I like spell point systems, as long as spell power levels are tightly controlled. We've seen disasters first hand in 4e Psions with spamming psychic locked Dishearten, and the like. You find one low cost spell to optimize, and you go to town with it all day long.

If they can prevent this sort of abuse, I would love the flexibility of a spell point system as an optional module. The spell casters would play quite differently than traditional vancian casters, but that's the point. It gives the DM the tools to make his campaign world work the way he intends it to.

 

[Lwaxy]

That's why in our system, you double the points you need to spend if you use a spell more than twice. The in game reason is that using a spell tires you out, and if you use a variety of spells your mind does not tire so easily (and thus needs less mana).

 

[the Jester]

I think a spell point variant is a fine idea, but sorcerer (3e) style casting is pretty close and still maintains a D&D 'feel' better, IMHO.

I expect spellcasting will be an area in which there are multiple options.

 

[Minigiant]

With the cleric using spontaneous Vancian, the sorceror is a great candidate for spell points.

 

[KidSnide]

By default, I would like to see the wizard, cleric and sorcerer all cast spells in a different way (e.g. pure Vancian, spontaneous Vancian, spontaneous fixed list or spell point). But at the same time, I'd like to see optional rules so any of the classes can be converted to one of the other spellcasting systems without ditching the "flavor" of the class.

There is a story difference between a wizard and a sorcerer that justifies the wizard having access to a wider range of spells (and the sorcerer, presumably, getting some other benefit). But, strictly speaking, there is no reason a wizard has to be Vancian, other than it's usually been that way. A DM should be able to decide "no Vancian in my world" without forcing wizard players to choose sorcerers instead.

-KS